History
Hands On Hartford was founded as Center City Churches in 1969. The agency was founded by the members of eight congregations in downtown Hartford to help their congregants put their faith into action. Over the years, the agency created Connecticut's first supportive housing program for people living with AIDS; Hartford's first and only group home for adults who are mentally ill; Hartford's first soup kitchen; Hartford's only fuel assistance program for the working poor; Connecticut's first and Hartford's only weekend senior nutrition program; and, Hartford's most comprehensive after-school tutoring and arts education program for elementary school children. In 2006, Center City Churches became the Hartford affiliate of HandsOn Network. The agency changed its name to Hands On Hartford in 2007.
Specialties
Hands On Hartford is a social service nonprofit organization that serves Hartford's neediest residents in the areas of food, housing, and economic security. We specialize in providing respectful, inclusive services to those in need in Hartford with help from the whole community. Through regular volunteer opportunities and customized service projects, we enable everyone to put their hands on Hartford to make a lasting impact. Our current services include: MANNA soup kitchen, food pantry, advocacy center, and weekend meal programs for children and seniors; supportive housing and housing assistance including security deposit and utility assistance, Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau to raise public awareness about homelessness; and Community Engagement to promote volunteerism and service learning.